Chanda Hahn

Can I start by saying there are nixies and kelpies? They are such underutilized fae creatures that this makes me very happy right now. Next, I love that Mina tries to ignore the story (you know, the one that is trying to kill her?). While not her most brilliant move, let's be honest, we all wonder what would happen if the hero in the story just decided to mind their own business. So okay, now we know.

This is a really strong middle book (3 of 5). Mina could have actually ended the problems, show more that is, if she didn't accidentally create some totally different ones (think pretty much every season-ending of Once Upon a Time). Also, deciding to face off directly against the evil fae prince, that takes guts. I loved it. I continue to be really pleased with my reread. show less

The third book, Fable, starts with a bang when Mina and her brother Charlie are caught up in a house fire as a result of Mina ignoring her fairy tale quests.

After the events of the last book, Mina has taken a step back. Having learnt more about the Fae world than she ever wanted to, Mina knows exactly how to break the Grimm curse but whether or not she can is a whole other matter. Because if she does there's a good chance Jared would never forgive her. Afterall, people don't tend to look show more kindly upon people that kill their siblings.

This book was brutal. Poor Mina. She's had one blow after another ever since the curse has started. From her first boyfriend forgetting her, to being cast as the villain and (temporarily) killing her best friend to her best friend and boyfriend dating. I felt so sorry for her. And then the death of her brother. It was rough.

Finding out pretty much all of the people you know are also Fae who have been meddling with your life doesn't make any of it much better. I don't know. I get the adjusting the memories of everyone else to think an event happened differently but I don't agree with what the fairy godmother's did to Sara (Mina's mum). I know Sara was struggling with Charlie's "death" but I don't know that I'd be impressed at being made to forget all about him. Like sure, it's important that Mina breaks the curse but also - he was her son. I mean fk. Memories shape who we are. If you take away something an integral as a son that she birthed, loved and cared for, are you even the same person? I just felt that it was wrong. Regardless of their intentions. And I sure as hell bet that if Sara was asked she wouldn't have said yes let me forget my son.

All of them are kind of jerks to be honest. None of them cared about saving Charlie. I mean he's an nine year old boy. What the hell? Yeah, Mina jumped into a deal with Temple Stiltskin without thinking it through but I understood where she was coming from. And how is she supposed to know any of this anyway? It's not like any of these supposedly helpful people have bothered to sit down and explain anything about this stuff to her.

I didn't get why Mina goes on the triple date or what kind of relationship Ever and Jared have but I did love Ever and Mina teaming up to take down Reid Stiltskin. That was cool.

The narrative is kind of all over the place in this one. It was not particularly coherent - instead just jumping from one part to another. I did like Nix - the water nixie who helps Mina on the Fae plane. I love that she managed to save him when she brought him back to the human world and I love that he's now part of the water polo team.

The relationship development with Jared was kind of left of field. I won't say that I didn't see it coming but I did feel it was very abrupt. Like yes, he cares for her but the kiss and love declaration seemed kind of sudden in a lot of ways. I mean Jared's been kind of dating Ever and Mina is still kind of hung up on Brody? But anyway. I was glad it finally happened and I hope that this means Brody is gone. I really don't like him.

As for the ending woah. I mean sure I saw most of it coming but it was still great. I'm not sure I really understood the part about Mina's dad. Does everyone have two lives - a Fae one and a human one? I mean okay, for the Fae - but Mina's dad wasn't Fae? Or are all Grimms part of that world. I would've liked some more detail on this part. Obviously Nix crossed over and is now human but ???

Overall a fast paced adventure novel with a decent story and relatable characters. 3.5 stars, rounded to 4. show less

The second book in the An Unfortunate Fairy Tale series, Fairest, finds Mina Grime tackling her most difficult task yet - being the villain of the story.

Mina has had a hard couple of months since she found out her family history, started her Grimm quests and finally had her crush on Brody Carmichael reciprocated before the Story took it all away and rewrote everyone's memories.

Like the first book, this is perfect for younger teens featuring a variety of fractured fairy tales with some show more amusing changes. Like the three bears being Chicago Bears. The story moves at a rapid clip and has lots of action, drama and entertainment.

Mina is a super relatable character. She's likable and heartfelt and often quite funny. Even if she doesn't mean to be. I felt really sorry for her though. Being sixteen is hard enough without the nightmare of her first boyfriend completely forgetting her. Although Mina struggles with her feelings I liked that she did try to be mature about it all - even if she did make a few mistakes along the way. You know, like accidentally killing her best friend with her own jealousy.

I completely understood her feelings about Jared though. His constant hot and cold was maddening. I wanted to just shake him myself to get some answers. It was annoying all the Fae judging Mina for failing when they refused to give her any actual information.

I was impressed though with her deductions about who Jared actually is - the son of the Fae Queen, as well as the Grimmoire - and her insight into Teague (Jared's brother) being the Story! And hot damn! Her play at the end about a way out of the Grimm curse and bringing the fight to the Fae was masterful. I loved it.

A fun and entertaining fractured fairy tale with a great main character. 4 stars. show less

I'm going to start this review with a few trigger warnings. First, the MC was kidnapped several times, once was for the express purpose of sex trafficking - make that twice. Second, she struggled with depressing and suicidal thoughts. If any of those things are triggers for you, please don't read this book. On the other hand, the way they were addressed it was clear that this was not okay, and the good guys in the story treated her with empathy and compassion.

Aura is an empath. She hears show more everyone's thoughts and feels all of their emotions. It's overwhelming. In fact, most empaths slowly go crazy and are destined to die alone since it is difficult enough to be in a relationship with someone when you don't know everything they are thinking and feeling. Her training is unlike the other sisters' because she is fragile. That training is to go into town and deal with things and then come home. But when someone tries to take advantage of her and she freezes, a knight comes to her rescue...and then kidnaps her.

Everything is complicated and it doesn't ever become less complicated. Like the first two stories in this series, Aura's destiny is taken out of her hands and she is thrust into an adventure, whether she likes it or not. She learns of her birth and backstory, and we are shown more of Lady Eville's backstory as well. For all her talk of revenge on the seven kingdoms, I'm beginning to think all of her adopted daughters were the result of her compassion. As she reminds Aura at one point in the story, "we are the villains," but this is more a reminder that stories are complicated and there are many sides and we may not always choose correctly, but we must do our best. I don't think she's the villain we have been led to believe she is, but there are three more books to go, so we will see.

As far as the love interests go, kidnapping the girl isn't a great start. And when we learn that he was put up to it, that doesn't make things a whole lot better. However, he does fight for her over and over again and only once (I think) makes the absurd statement "You are mine." Chanda, I love your books, but please stop this. We do not want to be possessed by men! Still, he has the most interesting backstory of all the men so far, and his choices at the end of the story are surprising and a bit mindblowing. There were quite a few twists at the end that were nothing I would have expected. Be warned, you will have your heart ripped out several times.

Overall, I loved this. The series is taking an upturn in my opinion and I can't wait to see what comes next. Also, I think this was a Sleeping Beauty retelling, although it was hardly recognizable. There was a spinning wheel. And people fell into a deep sleep. Maybe? show less